2,400 NEW JOBS CREATED LAST MONTH

Released on December 2, 2016

In November 2016, there was an increase of 2,400 jobs in Saskatchewan compared to the previous month (0.4 per cent) on a seasonally adjusted basis, tied for the second highest percentage increase among the provinces.

In the rest of Western Canada, Alberta’s employment was down 12,800 (-0.6 per cent), B.C.’s was down 9,300 (-0.4 per cent) and Manitoba’s was down 900 (-0.1 per cent) from the previous month (seasonally adjusted).

There were 567,800 Saskatchewan people employed in November 2016. Year-over-year, there were 10,000 fewer jobs.

Saskatchewan’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 6.8 per cent in November, the fifth lowest among the provinces and tied with the national average.

“We are still seeing the impact of resource sector challenges on our labour market,” Economy Minister Jeremy Harrison said. “Over the last decade, 68,900 jobs were created in Saskatchewan which is a testament to the long-term strength of our economy.”

Other November 2016 highlights include:

Major year-over-year gains were reported for professional, scientific and technical services up 4,000; public administration up 3,800; and trade up 3,700.

Off-reserve Aboriginal employment was up 4,200 (+9.7 per cent) for five consecutive months of year-over-year increases. Aboriginal youth employment was up 1,000 (+13.3 per cent) for seven consecutive months of year-over-year increases.

Youth unemployment rate was 13.0 per cent (seasonally adjusted), third lowest among the provinces, and just above the national rate of 12.9 per cent.